new

kindly to such questioning, for she knew it was not He has edited Gilpin's Forest Scenery, and Sir meant unkindly. The cart was soon unladen, and Uvedale Price's Essays on the Picturesque, adding the furniture put into the empty room. A cheerful much new matter to each ; and he was commissioned fire was blazing, and the animated and interested to write a memorial of her Majesty Queen Victoria's faces of the honest folks who crowded into it, on a visit to Scotland in 1842. A complete knowledge slight acquaintance, unceremoniously and curiously, of his native country, its scenery, people, history, but without rudeness, gave a cheerful welcome to the and antiquities—a talent for picturesque delineation new dwelling. In a quarter of an hour the beds were —and a taste for architecture, landscape-gardening, laid down-the room decently arranged-one and all and its attendant rural and elegant pursuits, distinof the neighbours said, 'Gude night,' and the door was guish this author. closed upon the Lyndsays in their new dwelling. The Youth and Manhood of Cyril Thornton, 1827,

They blessed and ate their bread in peace. The was hailed as one of the most vigorous and interestBible was then opened, and Margaret read a chapter. ing fictions of the day. It contained sketches of There was frequent and loud noise in the lane of pass-college life, military campaigns, and other bustling ing merriment or anger, but this little congregation scenes and adventures strongly impressed with truth worshipped God in a hymn, Esther's sweet voice lead- and reality. Some of the foreign scenes in this work ing the sacred melody, and they knelt together in are very vividly drawn. It was the production of prayer. It has been beautifully said by one whose the late Thomas Hamilton, Esq., who visited Ameworks are not unknown in the dwellings of the poor rica, and wrote a lively ingenious work on the Tired Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep!

orld, entitled Men and Manners in America, He, like the world, his ready visit pays

1833. Mr Hamilton was one of the many travellers Where fortune smiles; the wretched he forsakes; who disliked the peculiar customs, the democratic Swift on his downy pinions flies from wo,

government, and social habits of the Americans; and And lights on lids unsullied with a tear.

he spoke his mind freely, but apparently in a spirit Not so did sleep this night forsake the wretched. of truth and candour. He came like moonlight into the house of the widow In 1828 a good imitation of the style of Galt was and the fatherless, and, under the shadow of his published by Mr Moir of Musselburgh, under the wings, their souls lay in oblivion of all trouble, or title of The Life of Mansie Waugh, Tailor in Dalkeith. perhaps solaced even with delightful dreams.

Parts of this amusing autobiography had previously In 1824 Mr Wilson published another but in appeared in Blackwood's Magazine, and it was much ferior story, The Foresters. It certainly is a singu- exhibition of genuine Scottish character.

relished for its quaint simplicity, shrewdness, and lar and interesting feature in the genius of an author known as an active man of the world, who

Among the other writers of fiction who at this has spent most of his time in the higher social circles time published anonymously in Edinburgh was an of his native country and in England, and whose English divine, Dr James Hook (1771-1828), the scholastic and political tastes would seem to point only brother of Theodore Hook, and who was dean to a different result, that, instead of portraying of Worcester and archdeacon of Huntingdon. To the manners with which he is familiar-instead of indulge his native wit and humour, and perhaps to indulging in witty dialogue or humorous illustra- spread those loyal Tory principles which, like his țion, he should have selected homely Scottish sub- brother, he carried to their utmost extent, Dr Hook jects for his works of fiction, and appeared never so

wrote two novels, Pen Orden, 1822, and Percy Malhappy or so enthusiastic as when expatiating on the lory, 1823. They are clever irregular works, touchjoys and sorrows of his humble countrymen in the ing on modern events and living characters, and dissequestered and unambitious walks of life.

cussing various political questions which then engaged

attention. •Pen Owen' is the superior novel, and Various other novels issued about this time from contains some good humour and satire on Welsh the Edinburgh press. Mrs JOHNSTONE published genealogy and antiquities. Dr Hook wrote several anonymously Clan Albyn (1815), a tale written political pamphlets, sermons, and charges. before the appearance of Waverley, and approach- ANDREW PICKEN was born at Paisley in the year ing that work in the romantic glow which it casts 1788. He was the son of a manufacturer, and brought over Highland character and scenery. Mrs Grant up to a mercantile life. He was engaged in business of Laggan (a highly competent authority) has borne for some time in the West Indies, afterwards in a testimony to the correctness of the Highland descrip- bank in Ireland, in Glasgow, and in Liverpool. At tions in Clan Albyn.' A second novel, Elizabeth the latter place he established himself as a bookde Bruce, was published by Mrs Johnstone in 1827, seller, but was unsuccessful, chiefly through some containing happy sketches of familiar Scottish life. speculations entered into at that feverish period, This lady is also authoress of some interesting tales which reached its ultimatum in the panic of 1826. for children, The Diversions of Hollycot, The Nights Mr Picken then went to London to pursue literature of the Round Table, &c. and is also an extensive con- as a profession.

While resident in Glasgow, he tributor to the periodical literature of the day. Her published his first work, Tales and Sketches of the style is easy and elegant, and her writings are marked | West of Scotland, which gave offence by some satiri. by good sense and a richly cultivated mind.

cal portraits, but was generally esteemed for its local Sir Thomas Dick LAUDER, Bart., has written fidelity and natural painting. His novel of The two novels connected with Scottish life and history, Sectarian ; or the Church and the Meeting-House, three Lochandhu, 1825, and The Wolf of Badenoch, 1827. volumes, 1829, displayed more vigorous and concen. In 1830 Sir Thomas wrote an interesting account of trated powers; but the subject was unhappy, and the Great Floods in Morayshire, which happened in the pictures which the author drew of the dissenters, the autumn of 1829. He was then a resident among representing them as selfish, hypocritical, and sorthe romantic scenes of this unexampled inundation, did, irritated a great body of the public. Next year and has described its effects with great picturesque- Mr Picken made a more successful appearance. The ness and beauty, and with many homely and pathetic Dominie's Legacy, three volumes, was warmly welepisodes relative to the suffering people.. Sir Thomas comed by novel readers, and a second edition was has also published a series of Highland Rambles, much called for by the end of the year. This work coninferior to his early novels, though abounding, like sists of a number of Scottish stories (like Mr Carlethem, in striking descriptions of natural scenery. I ton's Irish Tales), some humorous and some pathe

MISS FERRIER.

tic. Minister Tam and Mary Ogilvy approach near thor, female at least, whom he had ever seen among to the happiest efforts of Galt. The characters and the long list he had encountered with ; simple, full incidents are alike natural and striking. The same of humour, and exceedingly ready at repartée; and year our author conciliated the evangelical dissenters all this without the least affectation of the blue by an interesting religious compilation-Travels and stocking.' This is high praise; but the readers of Researches of Eminent English Missionaries; includ- Miss Ferrier's novels will at once recognise it as ing a Historical Sketch of the Progress and Present characteristic, and exactly what they would have State of the Principal Protestant Missions of late Years. anticipated. This lady is a Scottish Miss EdgeIn 1831 Mr Picken issued The Club-Book, a collec-worth--of a lively, practical, penetrating cast of tion of original tales by different authors. Mr James, mind; skilful in depicting character and seizing Tyrone Power, Galt, Mr Moir, James Hogg, Mr upon national peculiarities; caustic in her wit and Jerdan, and Allan Cunningham, contributed each a humour, with a quick sense of the ludicrous; and story, and the editor himself added two, The Deer desirous of inculcating sound morality and attention Stalkers, and the Three Kearneys. His next work to the courtesies and charities of life. In some paswas Traditionary Stories of Old Families, the first sages, indeed, she evinces a deep religious feeling, part of a series which was to embrace the legendary approaching to the evangelical views of Hannah history of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Such a More; but the general strain of her writing relates work might be rendered highly interesting and po- to the foibles and oddities of mankind, and no one pular, for almost every old family has some tradi- has drawn them with greater breadth of comic hutionary lore-some tale of love, or war, or supersti- mour or effect. Her scenes often resemble the style tion-that is handed down from generation to gene- of our best old comedies, and she may boast, like ration. Mr Picken now applied himself to another Foote, of adding many new and original characters Scottish novel, The Black Watch (the original name to the stock of our comic literature. Her first work of the gallant 42d regiment); and he had just com- is a complete gallery of this kind. The plot is very pleted this work when he was struck with an at- inartificial; but after the first twenty pages, when tack of apoplexy, which in a fortnight proved fatal. Douglas conducts his pampered and selfish Lady He died on the 23d of November 1833. Mr Picken, Juliana to Glenfern castle, the interest never flags. according to one of his friends, ‘was the dominie of The three maiden aunts at Glenfern-Miss Jacky, his own tales—simple, affectionate, retiring; dwell-who was all over sense, the universal manager and ing apart from the world, and blending in all his detected, Miss Grizzy, the letter-writer, and Miss views of it the gentle and tender feelings reflected Nicky, who was not wanting for sense either, from his own mind.'

are an inimitable family group. Mrs Violet Macshake, the last remaining branch of the poble race of Girnachgowl, is a representative of the old hard

featured, close - handed, proud, yet kind-hearted This lady is authoress of Marriage, published in Scottish matron, vigorous and sarcastic at the age 1818, The Inheritance, 1824, and Destiny, or the of ninety, and despising all modern manners and Chief's Daughter, 1831—all novels in three volumes innovations. Then there is the sentimental Mrs each. We learn from Mr Lockhart's Life of Scott, Gaffaw, who had weak nerves and headaches; was that Miss Ferrier is daughter of James Ferrier, Esq., above managing her house, read novels, dyed rib

one of Sir Walter's brethren of the clerk's table;' bons, and altered her gowns according to every patand the great novelist, at the conclusion of the Tales tern she could see or hear of. There is a shade of of My Landlord, alluded to his sister shadow,' the caricature in some of these female portraits, notauthor of the very lively work entitled Marriage,' withstanding the explanation of the authoress that as one of the labourers capable of gathering in the they lived at a time when Scotland was very diffelarge harvest of Scottish character and fiction.* In rent from what it is now-when female education his private diary he has also mentioned Miss Ferrier was little attended to even in families of the highest as a gifted personage, having, besides her great rank; and consequently the ladies of those days talents, conversation the least exigeante of any au- possessed a raciness in their manners and ideas that

we should vainly seek for in this age of cultivation * In describing the melancholy situation of Sir Walter the and refinement. It is not only, however, in satirising year before his death, Mr Lockhart introduces Miss Ferrier in the foibles of her own sex that Miss Ferrier displays a very amiable light. •To assist them (the family of Scott) in such original talent and humour. Dr Redgill, a amusing him in the hours which he spent out of his study, and medical hanger-on and diner-out, is a gourmand of especially that he might be tempted to make those hours more the first class, who looks upon bad dinners to be the frequent, his daughters had invited his friend the authoress of “ Marriage" to come out to Abbotsford; and her coming was

source of much of the misery we hear of in the serviceable: for she knew and loved him well, and she had married life, and who compares a woman's reputa

tion to a beefsteak— if once breathed upon, 'tis good seen enough of affliction akin to his to be well skilled in dealing with it. She could not be an hour in his company without for nothing.' Many sly satirical touches occur throughobserving what filled his children with more sorrow than all out the work. In one of Miss Grizzy's letters we hear the rest of the case. He would begin a story as gaily as ever, of a Major MacTavish of the militia, who, indepen. and go on, in spite of the hesitation in his speech, to tell it with dent of his rank, which Grizzy thought was very highly picturesque effect, but before he reached the point, high, distinguished himself, and showed the greatest would seem as if some internal spring had given way; he bravery once when there was a very serious riot paused, and gazed round him with the blank anxiety of look about the raising the potatoes a penny a peck, when that a blind man has when he has dropped his staff. Unthink there was no occasion for it, in the town of Dunoon. ing friends sometimes pained him sadly by giving him the We are told also that country visits should seldom 1 catch-word abruptly. I noticed the delicacy of Miss Ferrier exceed three days—the rest day, the dressed day, and ! on such occasions. Her sight was bad, and she took care not the pressed day. There is a great shrewdness and to use her glasees when he was speaking; and she affected to be also troubled with deafness, and would say, "Well, I am knowledge of human nature in the manner in which getting as dull as a post; I have not heard a word since you

the three aunts got over their sorrow for the death said so and so," being sure to mention a circumstance behind of their father, the old laird. “They sighed and that at which he had really halted. He then took up the thread mourned for a time, but soon found occupation conwith his habitual smile of courtesy, as if forgetting his case genial to their nature in the little department of entirely in the consideration of the lady's infirmity.'

life: dressing crape ; reviving black silk; converting '

a

me.

*

narrow hems into broad hems; and, in short, who ' Impruvements!' turning sharply round upon her; so busy, so important, as the ladies of Glenfern?''what ken ye about impruvements, baim? A bonny The most striking picture in the book is that of impruvement, or ens no, to see tyleyors and sclaters the Mrs Violet MacShake, who is introduced as liv. leavin' whar I mind jewks and yerls. An’that great ing in a lofty lodging in the Old Town of Edinburgh, glowerin? New Toon there,' pointing out of her winwhere she is visited by her grand-nephew Mr Doug, dows, ' whar I used to sit an' luck oot at bonny green las, and his niece Mary. In person she is tall and parks, an' see the coos milket, and the bits o' bairnies hard-favoured, and dressed in an antiquated style :- rowin' an' tumlin', an' the lasses trampin' i' their

tubs—what see I noo but stane an' lime, an' stoor As soon as she recognised Mr Douglas, she welcom- an' dirt, an' idle cheels an’ dinkit oot madams praned him with much cordiality, shook him long and cin’. Impruvements indeed ! heartily by the hand, patted him on the back, looked into his face with much seeming satisfaction; and, uncle's fortune by the judiciousness of her remarks,

Mary found she was not likely to advance her in short, gave all the demonstrations of gladness therefore prudently resolved to hazard no more. Mr usual with gentlewomen of a certain age. Her

Douglas, who was more au fait to the prejudices of pleasure, however, appeared to be rather an im- old age, and who was always amused with her bitter promptu than a habitual feeling; for, as the sur remarks, when they did not touch himself, encouraged prise wore off, her visage resumed its harsh and sar- her to continue the conversation by some observation castic expression, and she seemed eager to efface any

on the prevailing manners. agreeable impression her reception might have excited.

• Mainers ! repeated she with a contemptuous * And wha thought o' seein' ye enoo!' said she in a ilk ane gang bang intill their neebor's hoos, an'

laugh; 'what ca' ye mainers noo, for I dinna ken? quick gabbling voice; 'what's brought you to the toon? Are you come to spend your honest faither's sil- / bang oot o't, as it war a chynge-hoos ; an' as for the

maister o't, he's no oʻsae muckle vaalu as the funky ler ere he's weel cauld in his grave, puir man?' Mr Douglas explained that it was upon account of heard him tell, ilka maister o'a family had his ain

abint his chyre. I'my grandfaither's time, as I hae his niece's health. • Health!' repeated she with a sardonic smile, 'it heed afore the best o' the land, an' had his ain dish,

sate in his ain hoos; ay! an' sat wi' his hat on his wad mak an ool laugh to hear the wark that’s made an’ was ay helpit first, an keepit up his owthority as aboot young fowk's health noo-a-days. I wonder

a man sude du. Paurents war paurents than-bairns what ye’re a' made o', grasping. Mary's arın in her dardna set up their gabs afore them than as they du great bony band--'a wheen puir feckless windlestraes--ye maun awa to Ingland for your healths. their ain † thae days-wife an’ servants, reteeners

noo. They ne'er presumed to say their heeds war Set ye up! I wonder what cam o' the lasses i’, my an'childer, a' trummelt i’ the presence o' their time that butel to bide at hame? And whilk o'ye, heed." I sude like to ken, 'll e'er leive to see ninety-sax, like

Here a long pinch of snuff caused a pause in the Health! he, he!'

old lady's harangue. Mary, glad of a pretence to indulge the mirth the old lady's manner and appearance had excited, joined rise and take leave.

Mr Douglas availed himself of the opportunity to most heartily in the laugh. * Tak aff yere bannet, bairn, an' let me see your Sit doon there,' laying her hand upon his arm, an’

'00, what's takin' ye awa, Archie, in sic a hurry? face; wha can tell what like ye are wi' that snule o rest ye, an' tak a glass o' wine an' a bit breed ; or a thing on your head? Then after taking an accurate inaybe, turning to Mary, 'ye wad rather hae a drap survey of her face, she pushed aside her pelisse broth to warm ye? What gars ye look sae blae, bairn? • Weel, its ae mercy I see ye hae neither the red I'm sure it's no cauld; but ye're just like the lave : ye heed nor the muckle cuits o' the Douglases. I kenna gang a' skiltin' about the streets half naked, an? whuther your faither has them or no. I ne'er set een on him: neither him nor his braw leddy thought it than ye maun sit an' birsle yoursels afore the fire at

, worth their while to speer after me; but I was at nae

She had now shuffled along to the further end of loss, by a' accounts.' • You have not asked after any of your Glenfern plateful of various-shaped articles of bread, which she

the room, and opening a press, took out wine and a friends,' said Mr Douglas, hoping to touch a more handed to Mary. sympathetic chord.

‘Hae, bairn-tak a cookie-tak it up—what are i'ime eneugh—wull ye let me draw my breath, you feared for! it'll no bite ye. Here's t'ye, Glenfer, man-fowk canna say awthing at ance. An' ye bute to hae an Inglish wife tu, a Scotch lass wadna seran' your wife an' your wean ; puir tead, it's no had a ye. An' yere wean, l’se warran’ its ane o' the warld's very chancy ootset, weel a wat.'

The wine being drank, and the cookies discussed, wonders--it's been unca lang o' comin'-he, he!' • He has begun life under very melancholy auspices, in vain.

Mr Douglas made another attempt to withdraw, but poor fellow!' said Mr Douglas, in allusion to his

* Canna ye sit still a wee, man, an' let me speer father's death. An' wha's faut was that? I ne'er heard tello' the an’ Jacky, an’ Nicky ?-aye workin' awa at the peels

after my auld freens at Glenfern? Hoo's Grizzy, like o't, to hae the bairn kirsened an’ its grandfaither an' the drogs-he, he! I ne'er swallowed a peel nor deein?! But fowk are naither born, nor kirsened, gied a doit for drogs a' my days, an' see an ony o’ por do they wad or dee as they used to du—awthing's them 'll rin a race wi' me whan they’re naur five changed.'

score.' • You must, indeed, have witnessed many changes?'

Mr Douglas here paid some compliments upon her observed Mr Douglas, rather at a loss how to utter

appearance, which were pretty graciously received; anything of a conciliatory nature.

Changes ! - weel a wat I sometimes wunder if it's and added that he was the bearer of a letter from his the same warld, an’ if it's my ain heed that's upon buck and brace of moor-game.

aunt Grizzy, which he would send along with a roemy shoothers.'

Gin your roebuck's Dae better than your last, * But with these changes you must also have seen

atweel it's no worth the sendin': poor dry fissinless many improvements ? said Mary in a tone of diffi- dirt, no worth the chowin'; weel a wat i begrudged dence.

my teeth on't.

Your muirfowl war nae that ill, but they're no worth the carryin’; they're doug cheap i'

JAMES MORIER.

the market enoo, so it's nae great compliment. Gin is an admirable character, though no very preposye had brought me a leg o'gude mutton, or a cauler sessing specimen of the country pastor, and, whether sawmont, there would hae been some sense in't ; but in his single or married state, is sufficiently amusing. ye're ane o' the fowk that'll ne'er harry yoursell wi' Edith, the heroine, is a sweet and gentle creation, your presents ; it's but the pickle powther they cost and there is strong feeling and passion in some of ye, an' l’se warran' ye're thinkin' mair o' your ain the scenes. In the case of masculine intellects, like diversion than o my stamick whan ye’re at the those of the authoress of Marriage and the great shootin' o' them, puir beasts.'

Irish novelist, the progress of years seems to impart Mr Douglas had borne the various indignities greater softness and sensibility, and call forth all the levelled against himself and his family with a phi- gentler affections. losophy that had no parallel in his life before, but to this attack upon his game he was not proof. His colour rose, his eyes flashed fire, and something resembling an oath burst from his lips as he strode MR JAMES MORIER, author of a Journey through indignantly towards the door.

Persia, and sometime secretary of embassy to the His friend, however, was too nimble for him. She court of Persia, has embodied his knowledge of the stepped before him, and, breaking into a discordant laugh as she patted him on the back, 'So I see ye're just the auld man, Archie—aye ready to tak the strums an ye dinna get a' thing your ain wye. Mony a time I had to fleech ye oot o' the dorts when ye was a callant. Do ye mind hoo ye was affronted because I set ye doon to a cauld pigeon-pye an' a tanker o' tippenny ae night to your fowerhoors afore some leddies—he, he, he! Weel a wat yere wife maun hae her ain adoos to manage ye, for ye're a cumstairy chield, Archie.'

Mr Douglas still looked as if he was irresolute whether to laugh or be angry.

Come, come, sit ye doon there till I speak to this bairn,' said she, as she pulled Mary into an adjoining bed-chamber, which wore the same aspect of chilly neatness as the one they had quitted. Then pulling a huge bunch of keys from her pocket, she opened a drawer, out of which she took a pair of diamond earrings. Hae, bairn,' said she, as she stuffed them into Mary's hand; they belanged to your faither's grandmother. She was a gude woman, an' had fouran’-twenty sons an' dochters, an' I wuss ye nae waur fortin than just to hae as mony. But mind ye,' with a shake of her bony finger, 'they maun a be Scots. Gin I thought ye wad mairry ony pock-puddin', fient haed wad ye hae gotten frae me.

Noo had your tongue, and dinna deive me wi' thanks,' almost pushing her into the parlour again ; ' and sin ye’re gawn awa' the morn, I'll see nae mair o' ye enoo-so fare ye weel. But, Archie, ye maun come an' tak your breakfast wi' me. I hae muckle to say to you; but ye mauna be sae hard upon my baps as ye used to be,' with a facetious grin to her mollified favourite as they shook hands and parted.

Aware, perhaps, of the defective outline or story East in a series of novels—The Adventures of Haji of her first novel, Miss Ferrier has bestowed much Baba of Ispahan, three volumes, 1824 (with a more pains on the construction of the Inheritance.' second part published in two volumes in 1828); It is too complicated for an analysis in this place ; Zohrab, the Hostage, three volumes, 1832; Ayesha, but we may mention that it is connected with high the Maid of Kars, three volumes, 1834; and The life and a wide range of characters, the heroine being Mirza, three volumes, 1841. The object of his first a young lady born in France, and heiress to a splen- work was, he says, the single idea of illustrating did estate and peerage in Scotland, to which, after Eastern manners by contrast with those of England, various adventures and reverses, she finally suc- and the author evinces a minute and familiar acceeds. The tale is well arranged and developed. quaintance with the habits and customs of the PerIts chief attraction, however, consists in the deli- sians. The truth of his satirical descriptions and neation of characters. Uncle Adam and Miss Pratt allusions was felt even by the court of Persia ; for -the former a touchy, sensitive, rich East Indian, Mr Morier has published a letter from a minister of and the latter another of Miss Ferrier's inimitable state in that country, expressing the displeasure old maids—are among the best of the portraits; but which the king felt at the very foolish business' of the canvass is full of happy and striking sketches. the book. It is probable, however, as the author · Destiny' is connected with Highland scenery and supposes, that this irritation may lead to reflection, Highland manners, but is far from romantic. Miss and reflection to amendment,

as he conceives the Ferrier is as human and as discerning in her tastes Persians to be, in talent and natural capacity, equal and researches as Miss Edgeworth. The chief, to any nation in the world, and would be no less on Glenroy, is proud and irascible, spoiled by the fawn- a level with them in feeling, honesty, and the higher ing of his inferiors, and in his family circle is gene- moral qualities, were their education favourable. rous without kindness, and profuse without benevo- The hero of Mr Morier's tale is an adventurer like lence. The Highland minister, Mr Duncan MacDow, I Gil Blas, and as much buffeted about in the world.

James hories

He is the son of a barber of Ispahan, and is suc- mitted to rise, and around whose majestic mouncessively one of a band of Turcomans, a menial ser- tains, some clad in eternal snows, others in eternal vant, a pupil of the physician-royal of Persia, an verdure, the stars and the moon are allowed to attendant on the chief executioner, a religious gambol and carouse! What! is it so fallen, so devotee, and a seller of tobacco-pipes in Constan- degraded, as to be swayed by two obscure mortals, tinople. Having by stratagem espoused a rich living in regions that know not the warmth of the Turkish widow, he becomes an official to the Shah; sun? Two swine-eating infidels, shaven, impure, and on his further distinguishing himself for his walkers on foot, and who, by way of state, travel knowledge of the Europeans, he is appointed secre- in dirty coaches filled with straw! This seemed to tary to the mission of Mirzah Firouz, and accom- us a greater miracle in government than even that panies the Persian ambassador to the court of Eng- of Beg lan, the plaiter of whips, who governed the land. In the course of his multiplied adventures, Turcomans and the countries of Samarcand and misfortunes, and escapes, the volatile un principled Bokhara, leading a life more like a beggar than a Hajji mixes with all classes, and is much in Tehran, potentate.” Koordistan, Georgia, Bagdad, Constantinople, &c. *Zohrab' is a historical novel, of the time of Aga The work soon became popular. “The novelty of Mohammed Shah, a famous Persian prince, described the style,' says Sir Walter Scott, 'which was at once by Sir John Malcolm as having taught the Russians perceived to be genuine oriental by such internal to beat the French by making a desert before the evidence as establishes the value of real old China- line of the invader's march, and thus leaving the the gay and glowing descriptions of Eastern state enemy master of only so much ground as his cannon and pageantry—the character of the poetry occa- could command. This celebrated Shah is the real sionally introduced-secured a merited welcome for hero of the tale, though the honour is nominally the Persian picaroon. As a picture of oriental awarded to Zohrab, an independent Mazanderini manners, the work had, indeed, a severe trial to chief, who falls in love with the gentle and beausustain by a comparison with the then recent ro- tiful Amima, niece of the Shah. The style of the mance of Anastasius. But the public found appe, work is light, pleasant, and animated, and it is full tite for both ; and indeed they differ as comedy and of Persian life. "Ayesha, the Maid of Kars,' is intragedy, the deep passion and gloomy interest of Mr ferior to its predecessors, though certain parts (as Hope's work being of a kind entirely different from the description of the freebooter, Corah Bey, and the light and lively turn of our friend Hajji's adven- the ruins of Anni, the Spectre City, the attack on tures. The latter, with his morals sitting easy the Russian posts, the voyage to Constantinople, about him, a rogue indeed, but not a malicious one, &c.) are in the author's happiest and most graphic with as much wit and cunning as enable him to manner. In this work Mr Morier introduces a dupe others, and as much vanity as to afford them novelty–he makes an English traveller, Lord Os. perpetual means of retaliation; a sparrow-hawk, mond, fall in love with a Turkish maiden, and while who, while he floats through the air in quest of the Englishman is bearing off the Maid of Kars to the smaller game, is himself perpetually exposed Constantinople, Corah Bey intercepts them, and gets to be pounced upon by some stronger bird of prey, the lover sent off to the galleys. He is released interests and amuses us, while neither deserving nor through the intercession of the English ambassador, expecting serious regard or esteem; and like Will and carries his Eastern bride to England. Ayesha, Vizard of the hill, “the knave is our very good the heroine, turns out to be the daughter of Sir friend." Mr Morier, however, in the episode of Edward Wortley! There are improbabilities in Yusuf, the Armenian, and the account of the death this story which cannot be reconciled, and the of Zeenab, has successfully entered into the arena of mixture of European costume and characters among pathetic and romantic description. The oriental the scenery and society of the East, destroys that scenes are the most valuable and original portions oriental charm which is so entire and so fascinating of " Hajji Baba,” and possess the attraction of novelty in Zohrab.' "The Mirza' is a series of Eastern to ordinary readers, yet the account of the constant stories, connected by an outline of fiction like embarrassment and surprise of the Persians at Eng. Moore's Lalla Rookh. In concluding this work, lish manners and customs is highly amusing. The Mr Morier says, ' I may venture to assert that the ceremonial of the dinner-table, that seemed to them East, as we have known it in oriental tales, is now “ absolutely bristling with instruments of offence,” fast on the change-" C'est le commencement de la blades of all sizes and descriptions, sufficient to have fin.” Perhaps we have gleaned the last of the ornamented the girdles of the Shah's household, beards, and obtained an expiring glimpse of the could not but puzzle those who had been accustomed heavy caoûk and the ample shalwar ere they are simply to take everything up in their fingers. The exchanged for the hat and the spruce pantaloon. mail-coach, the variety of our furniture and accom- How wonderful is it-how full of serious contemmodation, and other domestic observances, were plation is the fact, that the whole fabric of Mohamequally astonishing; but, above all, the want of cere- medanism should have been assailed, almost sudmonial among our statesmen and public officers sur-denly as well as simultaneously, by events which prised the embassy. The following burst of oriental nothing human could have foreseen. Barbary, wonder and extravagance succeeds to an account of Egypt, Syria, the banks of the Euphrates and a visit paid them by the chairman and deputy-chair- Tigris, the Red Sea, Constantinople, Asia Minor, man of the East India Company, who came in a Persia, and Affghanistan, all more or less have felt hackney-coach, and, after the interview, walked the influence of European or anti-Mohammedan away upon their own legs.

agencies. Perhaps the present generation may “When they were well off, we all sat mute, only not see a new structure erected, but true it is they occasionally saying, “Allah! Allah! there is but have seen its foundations laid.' one Allah! so wonderfully astonished were we. In 1838 appeared The Banished; a Swabian HisWhat! India ? that great, that magnificent empire ! torical Tale, edited by Mr Morier. This publication -that scene of Persian conquest and Persian glory! caused some disappointment, as the name of the - the land of elephants and precious stones, the author of Hajji Baba' excited expectations which seat of shawls and kincobs !--that paradise sung by The Banished' did not realise. The work is a poets, celebrated by historians more ancient than translation from the German, a tale of the Swabian Irån itself !---at whose boundaries the sun is per- league in the sixteenth century.